Councils were under a lot of pressure and strong governance had to be a priority, Cr Sophie Barker said.
"The paradigm needs to change, especially given all the huge challenges Dunedin faces," she said.
"We absolutely need more transparency and accountability, especially over budgets.
"We need eagle eyes on every cent."
Cr Barker, who is chairwoman of the strategy, planning and engagement committee, said a lot of work had gone on behind the scenes, including researching best practice and managing performance.
She felt she had been able to get more "cut-through" in her second term about the importance of the council taking control around strategic direction, governance structures and setting budgets.
"That’s our No 1 job — to be in control, to make promises to our community and see that they are delivered."
This was occurring against a challenging backdrop that included pressure on rates, climate change and the ramifications for South Dunedin’s future, repaying debt, the cost-of-living crisis, "increases in insurance, interest and all the other shocks hitting us economically".
Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas said she was surprised when she was elected how "high level" the budgets were.
"I think the public’s expectation is that councillors are ‘all over the budgets’ and I believe we should be, as we are talking about a very large budget."
A lot of work had been carried out behind the scenes to prepare for the 2025-34 nine-year plan and to get councillors up to speed on issues, Cr Lucas said.
"The more information we have, the better decisions we can make for the city and I think there is general agreement around the table about this — from elected representatives and staff."
Council chief executive Sandy Graham said the council’s senior management team had a strong working relationship with Mayor Jules Radich and councillors.
"That’s really important when we need to have tough conversations about competing priorities and financial challenges.
"Staff always expect to have their areas of operation and expenditure put under the microscope and we’ll continue working closely with the mayor and councillors to deliver robust advice and make sure they have the best possible information available to help them make the right calls."
Mr Radich said councils everywhere faced a particularly tough fiscal environment.
The next 12 months would be challenging, he said, adding that greater scrutiny would be needed of all areas of the council’s operations and expenditure.
Cr Andrew Whiley said there had been a step up in governance this term.
He felt previous mayors and councillors chairing committees had "allowed staff to lead council".
That aligned with the "group thinking", whereas more diverse thought was engaged now.
Cr Whiley said more councillors, including those in their first term, were "across the issues".
